Paramount GT-1100 Robotic Telescope Mount

page 28 Paramount User’s Guide
Note: The Paramount ME, as pictured in Figure 15, is in an unstable configuration and
places extreme forces on the right ascension gear teeth. The counterweight shaft should
remain in the vertical position while the Paramount ME is loaded with counterweights and
the OTA has not yet been attached. This minimizes the force on the right ascension gear
teeth and insures the mount is in a stable position at all times.
Balance the system
Attach your CCD camera and all other equipment (focuser, dew heater, etc.) to the optical
tube assembly while balancing the mount. The telescope will track and slew best when
properly balanced. An unbalanced system can cause numerous problems, such as stalling or
“gear chattering” during slews. There is no clutching mechanism on the Paramount ME.
This means that balance is achieved by disengaging the worm from the gear in each axis.
Caution!
Use extreme care when balancing the telescope! Make note of the weight
distribution on the telescope before pulling the worm block assemblies away from
the gears. Always grab hold of the OTA or counterweight arm before disengaging the
worm and gear so that you maintain control of the telescope.
The telescope could be damaged, or you could be seriously injured whenever the worm gear
is disengaged from the main gear on an unbalanced system.
The Paramount ME comes with two 9 kg (20 lb.) counterweights to balance the optical tube
assembly. To balance the right ascension axis, slide the counterweights up or down the
counterweight bar until the system has no tendency to fall in either direction.
If you use multiple devices, such as a video camera to map and a CCD to image after
mapping, the difference in weight might be enough to cause slewing problems when the
instruments are interchanged. By marking various positions of counterweights on the shaft
for different configurations, you can quickly rebalance a system without disengaging the
worm and gear. It is very important not to change the system after mapping has been
completed and a model is created for the mount/OTA.
The worm blocks on the ME provide a mechanism for disengaging the worm from the gear
and holding this configuration while balancing. Though it is always a good idea to have a
second person available for aid in holding the OTA during balancing, this mechanism allows
for single person balancing.